Selectable meter or inductor feed for seeds

ABSTRACT

An agricultural product distribution apparatus includes a primary product container mounted on a product cart and a secondary product container. A metering device and a primary inductor assembly are mounted to the primary product container and a control system controls dispensing of products from the primary product container either through the metering device directly to furrow openers, or through the inductor assembly to the secondary product container and then through a secondary inductor assembly to downstream singulating meters. The secondary product container can be mounted on the implement frame or the product cart. A plurality of primary product containers can be mounted on the product cart each with a metering device and primary inductor assembly such that each tank can dispense through either of the corresponding metering devices or primary inductor assemblies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and benefit of CA Serial No.3,026,124, filed Dec. 3, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements and inparticular a seeding apparatus with an inductor system feeding aplurality of singulating meters.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural seeding implements for crops such as corn, soybeans, andthe like typically include a singulating meter that is operative todispense seeds individually into a furrow formed in the soil surface bya furrow opener. In the past each singulating meter included a seedcontainer mounted above each singulating meter to supply seed to themeter by gravity. Early designs required each seed container to befilled individually, a time consuming process. More recently inductorsystems have been developed where an air stream carries seeds from asingle nurse tank to the seed container above each meter, or to a smallseed container defined in the singulating meter itself.

The metering function is carried out by the singulating meters, and theinductor systems are only required to ensure that a supply of seeds ismaintained available to each singulating meter. Thus in a typicalinductor system seeds flow from the nurse tank down into an inductor boxand an air stream directed into the inductor box picks up seeds andcarries them through a plurality of seed conduits to a like plurality ofseed containers, each corresponding to a singulating meter. The seedcontainers include an air release assembly, such as a screen.

As seeds entrained in an air stream move into a seed container, the airis released through the screen and the seeds drop into the seedcontainer. The level of seeds in the seed container rises as the seedcontainer fills, and moves up along the screen reducing the area ofscreen available for the air to pass through such that pressure buildsin the seed container and eventually the pressure in the seed containeris such that the volume and velocity of the air stream entering the seedcontainer is reduced to a point where the air stream no longer issufficient to pick up seeds from the inductor box. Seeds that are in theseed conduit fall out of the air stream as well. The level of seeds inthe seed container falls as the seeds are metered out by thecorresponding singulating meter, exposing an increasing area of screen,and the volume and velocity of the air stream increases to a point wheresame is sufficient to again pick up seeds from the inductor box and alsopick up those seeds that have fallen to the bottom of the seed conduit.U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,244 to Meyer et al. and United States PublishedPatent Application Number 2017/0318737 of Gilstring for example discloseinductor systems.

United States Published Patent Application Number 2017/0086355 ofBorkgren et al. discloses a seed distribution system where seeds aremetered and conveyed from the air seeder tank to a remote pick-upassembly comprising a housing with a plurality of outlets arrayed alongopposite upright side walls of the housing, each outlet connected to aseed conduit to carry seeds to downstream seed containers. The seeds andair stream are separated at an inlet to the housing, and the seeds falldown an interior of the housing and the air stream is redirected intothe housing where same picks-up and entrains the seeds again and passesalong each seed conduit.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,312 to Meyer et al. discloses modifying a bin withan existing metering system by removing the metering device, andinserting an inductor device having plenum and tube structures into theopening to transfer seeds out of the bin with an air stream and througha plurality of hoses to a corresponding plurality of meters.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,797 Mayerle et al. discloses converting an airseeder meter box into a nurse inductor box by detachably mounting aninductor box on the meter box to receive a supply of seed particlestherefrom and convey the seeds into a plurality of distribution lines toremote planting mechanisms.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,683,930 to Cresswell discloses an air seeder cart whichincludes a plurality of conventional large containers for agriculturalproducts and also a smaller container with a fill opening that isconveniently located for depositing agricultural products into thecontainer manually.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an agricultural product distributionapparatus and method that overcomes problems in the prior art.

In a first embodiment the present disclosure provides an agriculturalproduct distribution apparatus for an air seeder comprising an implementframe mounted on frame wheels. A product cart is mounted on cart wheelsand is releasably connected to the implement frame, and a primaryproduct container is mounted on the product cart. A metering device ismounted to the primary product container and is configured to receiveproducts from the primary product container and meter the products intoa meter air conduit connected through a downstream distribution networkto a plurality of furrow openers mounted on the implement frame. Aprimary inductor assembly is mounted to the primary product containerand is configured to receive products from the primary product containerand direct the products into a demand air conduit connected to asecondary product container. A pressurized primary air source isoperative to generate a primary air stream. A control system isoperative, while in a metering mode, to direct a meter portion of theprimary air stream into the meter air conduit and to direct productsfrom the primary product container into the metering device where theproducts are metered into the meter portion of the primary air streamflowing through the meter air conduit and carried through the downstreamdistribution network to the plurality of furrow openers. The controlsystem is further operative, while in a demand mode, to direct a demandportion of the primary air stream into the demand air conduit and todirect products from the primary product container into the primaryinductor assembly where the products are entrained in the demand portionof the primary air stream flowing through the demand air conduit andcarried into the secondary product container. A secondary inductorassembly is mounted to the secondary product container and a pluralityof product conduits is connected to the secondary inductor assembly, anda pressurized secondary air source is operative to direct a secondaryair stream into the secondary inductor assembly to entrain products fromthe secondary product container into the secondary air stream and conveythe products downstream through the plurality of product conduits.

In a second embodiment the present disclosure provides a method ofseeding first crop seeds in a first field surface and second crop seedsin a second field surface. The method comprises mounting an implementframe on frame wheels, and mounting a plurality of furrow openerassemblies on the implement frame; mounting a product cart on cartwheels and releasably connecting the product cart to the implementframe; mounting a primary product container on the product cart;mounting a metering device to the primary product container; mounting aprimary inductor assembly to the primary product container; controllinga flow of seeds from the primary product container to direct the flow ofseeds into a selected one of the metering device and the primaryinductor assembly; mounting a secondary product container on a selectedone of the product cart and the implement frame; mounting a secondaryinductor assembly to the secondary product container and connecting aplurality of product conduits between the secondary inductor assemblyand a corresponding plurality of singulating meters; generating aprimary air stream; seeding the first crop seeds by depositing the firstcrop seeds into the secondary product container, generating a secondaryair stream and directing the secondary air stream into the secondaryinductor assembly, moving the implement frame along the first fieldsurface with first selected furrow opener assemblies engaging the firstfield surface, directing the first crop seeds from the secondary productcontainer into the secondary inductor assembly such that the first cropseeds are entrained in the secondary air stream and carried through theproduct conduits to the singulating meters and the singulating metersdispense the first crop seeds to the first selected furrow openerassemblies; seeding the second crop seeds by depositing the second cropseeds into the primary product container, directing a meter portion ofthe primary air stream through a meter air conduit connected to secondselected furrow opener assemblies, moving the implement frame andconnected product cart along the second field surface with the secondselected furrow opener assemblies engaging the second field surface,directing the second crop seeds from the primary product container tothe metering device and metering the second crop seeds into the meterair conduit such that the second crop seeds are carried to the secondselected furrow opener assemblies.

The present disclosure thus provides a product distribution apparatusfor an air seeder and method of seeding first crop seeds in a firstfield surface and second crop seeds in a second field surface thatprovides considerable versatility by allowing the primary seed containerto be quickly and simply converted to dispense seeds, fertilizer or likeagricultural products directly to furrow openers with a metering device,or to supply agricultural products, typically seeds to a plurality ofsingulating meters using an inductor assembly and demand air conduit.

The inductor assembly is simple and cost effective such that where, asis typical, a plurality of primary product containers is mounted on theproduct cart, an inductor assembly can be economically mounted to eachprimary product container. Each primary product container can then beconfigured to dispense products through the metering device or theinductor assembly allowing for the most efficient use of the varioussized primary product containers to minimize the stops needed to refill.Thus the products from any of the primary product containers can betransferred to the secondary product container and product distributionto the singulating meters is carried out at the secondary productcontainer instead of requiring product distribution from each primaryproduct container.

The secondary product container can include a sealable fill opening andmay be mounted on the implement frame or the product cart, and can belocated where it is convenient to add products manually if desired.Products are supplied to the secondary product container by the primaryinductor assembly. Where the secondary product container is mounted onthe implement frame such that product distribution to the singulatingmeters takes place on the implement frame, this transfer of product byinduction results in only a single demand air conduit extending betweenthe product cart and the implement frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof,preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detaileddescription which may be best understood in conjunction with theaccompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagramsare labeled with like numbers, and where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the productdistribution apparatus of the present disclosure where the secondaryproduct container is mounted on the implement frame;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional end view of the metering device andprimary inductor assembly attached to the bottom of the primary productcontainer of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional side view of the metering device andprimary inductor assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view of the diversion plate of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of an alternate embodiment of the productdistribution apparatus of the present disclosure where the secondaryproduct container is mounted on the product cart;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of an alternate product cart of thepresent disclosure where three primary product containers as well as thesecondary product container are mounted on the product cart, and wherethe primary product containers have been removed from the drawing tomore clearly show how each primary product container can dispenseproducts through either a metering device or a primary inductorassembly;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the product cart of FIG. 7 with theprimary product containers shown in place;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an alternate demand airconduit with an operating path through the inductor box and a bypasspath;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a further alternate demandair conduit with an operating path through the inductor box and ashorter more direct bypass path that passes through the primary inductorassembly;

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional side view of the demand air conduit ofFIG. 10 with the valve plate inserted to block flow through the bypasspath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an embodiment of a productdistribution apparatus 1 of the present disclosure for an air seeder.The apparatus 1 comprises an implement frame 3 mounted on frame wheels5, and a product cart 7 mounted on cart wheels 9 and releasablyconnected to the implement frame 3 at a hitch assembly 11 such that whenconnected the implement frame and product cart move in the operatingtravel direction T together. A plurality of furrow openers 13 are spacedacross a width of the implement frame 3.

A primary product container 15 is mounted on the product cart 7 and asecondary product container 17 is mounted on either the implement frame3 or the product cart 7. In the illustrated apparatus 1 the secondaryproduct container 17 is mounted on the implement frame 3 and includes afill opening 19 and a releasable cover 21 operative to seal the fillopening 19.

A metering device 23 is mounted to the primary product container 15 andis configured to receive products from the primary product container 15and meter the products into a meter air conduit 25 connected through adownstream distribution network 27 to a plurality of furrow openers 13mounted on the implement frame 3. A primary inductor assembly 29 is alsomounted to the primary product container 15 and is configured to receiveproducts from the primary product container 15 and direct the productsinto a demand air conduit 31 connected to the secondary productcontainer 17.

A pressurized primary air source 33, schematically illustrated as a fan,is operative to generate a primary air stream PAS. A control system 35is operative while in a metering mode to direct a meter portion PASM ofthe primary air stream PAS into the meter air conduit 25 and to directproducts from the primary product container 15 into the metering device23 where the products are metered into the meter portion PASM of theprimary air stream PAS flowing through the meter air conduit 25 and theproducts are carried through the downstream distribution network 27 tothe plurality of connected furrow openers 13.

In the usual course all furrow openers 13 on the implement frame 3 wouldbe connected to the distribution network 27, however for clarity ofillustration lines are drawn in FIG. 2 connecting only those furrowopeners 13 that are on the front rank of the implement frame 3.

The control system 35 is further operative while in a demand mode todirect a demand portion PASD of the primary air stream into the demandair conduit 31 and to direct products from the primary product container15 into the primary inductor assembly 29 where the products areentrained in the demand portion PASD of the primary air stream PASflowing through the demand air conduit 31 and carried into the secondaryproduct container 17. The secondary product container 17 includes ascreen 45 operative to release the demand air stream PASD from thesecondary product container 17 to pass out into the atmosphere while theproducts entrained in the demand portion PASD of the primary air streamPAS remain in the secondary product container 17. As products build upin the secondary product container 17, they block the screen 45 and therate of flow of the demand portion PASD of the primary air stream PASdrops to a point where products are no longer entrained. When the levelof products drops the screen 45 becomes more exposed and the rate offlow of the demand portion PASD of the primary air stream PAS againincreases to a point where products are carried into the secondaryproduct container 17.

A secondary inductor assembly 37 is mounted to the secondary productcontainer 17 and a plurality of product conduits 39 are connected to thesecondary inductor assembly 37. A pressurized secondary air source 41,also schematically illustrated as a fan, is operative to direct asecondary air stream into the secondary inductor assembly 37 to entrainproducts from the secondary product container 17 into the secondary airstream and convey the products downstream through the plurality ofproduct conduits 39. Input ends of the product conduits 39 are connectedto the secondary inductor assembly 37 and an output end of each productconduit 39 is connected to a singulating meter assembly 43 configured toreceive and store the products and then dispense them with a singulatingmeter into a furrow made by a corresponding furrow opener 13. Theagricultural product delivered to the singulating meters in this way aretypically seeds.

The product distribution apparatus 1 provides the advantage ofdistributing products stored in the primary product container 15 eitherwith the metering device 23, typically directly through the distributionnetwork 27 to connected furrow openers 13, or with the primary andsecondary inductor assemblies 29, 37, typically to connected singulatingmeter assemblies 43. The metering device 23 will dispense either seedsor fertilizer or like agricultural products, while the productdistributed through the primary inductor assembly 29 to the secondaryproduct container 17 will generally be various crop seeds.

As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the apparatus 1 themetering device 23, shown here as an auger type metering device, ismounted under the primary product container 15 and the primary inductorassembly 29 is mounted under the metering device 23. The control system35 comprises a valve 47 movable between the metering device 23 and theprimary inductor assembly 29. While the control system 35 is in themetering mode the valve 47 is closed in position P1 blocking productsfrom entering the primary inductor assembly 29 and the metering device23 is operating, rotating to dispense products into the meter airconduit 25 carrying the meter portion PASM of the primary air streamPAS.

While the control system 35 is in the demand mode the valve 47 is openin position P2 allowing products to enter the primary inductor assembly29 and the metering device 23 is idle, such that the products simplyflow through the stationary auger into the primary inductor assembly 29where the products are entrained in the demand portion PASD of theprimary air stream PAS flowing in the demand air conduit 31. The primaryinductor assembly 29 comprises an inductor box 49 and the demand airconduit 31 slopes downward into an upstream side 49A of the inductor box49 and slopes upward from a downstream side 49B of the inductor box 49.The demand air conduit 31 thus extends through the inductor box 49 suchthat the inductor box 49 forms a portion of the demand air conduit 31.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, the control system 35 includes adiversion plate 55 that is moved, when the control system 35 is in thedemand mode, to position P1 to direct the primary air stream PAS intothe demand air conduit 31, and that is moved, when the control system 35is in the metering mode, to position P2 to direct the primary air streamPAS into the meter air conduit 25.

In the apparatus 1 where only a single primary product container 15 ispresent the control system 35 with diversion plate 55 will typicallydivert the whole of the primary air stream PAS into either the meter airconduit 25 or the demand air conduit 31, however as described below inthe common situation where a plurality of primary product containers arepresent the, the diversion plate 55 can be moved to an intermediateposition where the primary air stream PAS will be divided into the meterand demand portions PASM, PASD so that while seeds are being inductedthrough the demand air conduit 31 from one primary product container,fertilizer at the same time can be metered and carried through the meterair conduit 25. The pressurized primary air source 33 could alsocomprise a plurality of fans connected to the meter and demand airconduits 25, 31. Where convenient as well the pressurized secondary airsource could be provided by the pressurized primary air source 33 ratherthan be a separate fan 41, especially when the secondary productcontainer 17 is mounted on the product cart 7. Then the pressurizedprimary air source 33 generates the primary air stream PAS and thesecondary air stream.

Where all the primary air stream PAS is flowing in the demand airconduit 31 through the inductor assembly 29 as shown in FIG. 3, with noair flowing in the meter air conduit 25 a significant pressuredifferential will be present between the inductor assembly 29 and themeter air conduit 25. Similarly, but to a lesser degree, when a meterportion PASM of the primary air stream PAS is flowing through the meterair conduit 25 and a demand portion PASD of the primary air stream PASis flowing through the demand air conduit 31 there can be pressuredifferentials that cause air flow between the meter and demand airconduits 25, 31 through the metering device 23. In order to preventleakage of air through the metering device 23 an air valve 47A can bemoved to block the flow of air when the corresponding inductor assembly29 is operative.

Mounting the secondary product container 17 on the implement frame 3allows the apparatus 1 to operate without the product cart 7. Whereproduct application rates are quite low it may be desirable in somefield operations where increased maneuverability is desired todisconnect the product cart and fill the secondary product container 17with products manually through the available fill opening 19 with itsreleasable cover 21.

In the illustrated apparatus 1 then the meter air conduit 25 comprises ameter cart portion 25C mounted on the product cart 7 and a meter frameportion 25F mounted on the implement frame 3. A releasable meterconnector 51 is operative to connect an output end of the meter cartportion 25C to an input end of the meter frame portion 25F.

Similarly the demand air conduit 31 comprises a demand cart portion 31Cmounted on the product cart 7 and a demand frame portion 31F mounted onthe implement frame 3. A releasable demand connector 53 is operative toconnect an output end of the demand cart portion to an input end of thedemand frame portion. To prevent contamination seals 57 are providedoperative to releasably seal the input ends of the frame portions of themeter and demand air conduits 25F, 31F.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of theapparatus 101 where the secondary product container 117 is mounted onthe product cart 107. While in the metering mode the control system 135again directs the meter portion PASM of the primary air stream PAS fromthe pressurized primary air source 133 into the meter air conduit 125and to direct products from the primary product container 115 into themetering device where the products are metered into the meter portionPASM of the primary air stream PAS flowing through the meter air conduit125 and the products are carried through the downstream distributionnetwork 127 to the plurality of connected furrow openers 113.

While in the demand mode the control system 135 again directs the demandportion PASD of the primary air stream PAS from the pressurized primaryair source 133 into the demand air conduit 131 and the control system135 directs products from the primary product container 115 into theprimary inductor assembly where the products are entrained in the demandportion PASD of the primary air stream PAS flowing through the demandair conduit 131 and the products are carried the short distance into thesecondary product container 117 that is mounted on the product cart 107along with the primary product container 115. The product conduits 139are connected between the secondary inductor assembly 137 under thesecondary product container 117 on the product cart 107 and thesingulating meter assemblies 143 mounted on the implement frame 103.

These product conduits 139 would also typically have releasableconnectors between the product cart 107 and the implement frame 103 tofacilitate disconnecting the product cart 107 from the implement frame103. Typically output ends of cart portions of each product conduit 139would be connected to a first section of a connector assembly and inputends of frame portions of each product conduit 139 would be connected toa second section of the connector assembly, and the first and secondsections would be releasably connectable.

In contrast to mounting the secondary product container 17 on theimplement frame 3 as in FIG. 2, mounting the secondary product container117 on the product cart 107 can be more convenient for typical seedingoperations. For example when seeding rates are low it may be moreconvenient to load seeds manually into the fill opening 119 of thesecondary product container 117. The secondary product container 117 canbe quite small relative to the usual plurality of large primary productcontainers present on a typical product cart, and can be located at alow elevation for more convenient manual loading compared to using oneof the primary product containers which require typically carrying bagsof seeds up a ladder or using a lift device or the like. In such asituation the primary product container may not be used at all.

The same apparatus 101 however can also provide benefits where theseeding rate is quite high by allowing small quantities of seeds to beadded manually to the secondary product container 117, for example toreduce clean out time and labor when finishing one crop and readying theapparatus for switching to seed a different crop.

The apparatuses 1, 101 are simplified schematics showing a product cartwith only one primary product container 15, 115 while in a typicalproduct cart three or more primary product containers are mounted on theproduct cart as schematically illustrated in the apparatus 201 of FIGS.7 and 8. Each primary product container 215A, 215B, 215C has acorresponding metering device 223A, 223B, 223C and corresponding primaryinductor assembly 229A, 229B, 229C mounted to receive products from theprimary product containers when a control system is in a metering ordemand mode as described above. The secondary product container 217 isalso shown mounted on the product cart 207 at a convenient location withthe fill opening 219 at a much lower location than fill openings for theprimary product containers 215.

In a common operation products, typically seeds, will be inducted fromonly one of the primary product containers 215 at a time andagricultural products such as fertilizer, chemicals, and the like willbe metered from the other primary product containers 215. Thearrangement shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 does however provide considerableversatility in that products may be inducted from any one of the primaryproduct containers 215, which typically vary in size, such thatapplication rates and capacities can be selected to reduce down timerequired for filling the primary product container with seeds and otheragricultural products.

In the apparatus 201 the control system 235 is operative while in afirst metering mode to direct the meter portion PASM of the primary airstream into the meter air conduit 225 and to direct products from thefirst primary product container 215A into the first metering device 223Awhere the products are metered into the meter portion PASM of theprimary air stream flowing through the meter air conduit 225 and carriedthrough the downstream distribution network 227.

The control system is operative while in a first demand mode to directthe demand portion PASD of the primary air stream into the demand airconduit 231 and to direct products from the first primary productcontainer 215A into the first primary inductor assembly 229A where theproducts are entrained in the demand portion PASD of the primary airstream flowing through the demand air conduit 231 and carried to thesecondary product container 217.

Similarly the control system 235 is operative while in a second meteringmode to direct the meter portion PASM of the primary air stream into themeter air conduit 225 and to direct products from the second primaryproduct container 215B into the second metering device 223B where theproducts are metered into the meter portion PASM of the primary airstream flowing through the meter air conduit 225 and carried through thedownstream distribution network 227, and the control system 235 isoperative while in a second demand mode to direct the demand portionPASD of the primary air stream into the demand air conduit 231 and todirect products from the second primary product container 215B into thesecond primary inductor assembly 229B where the products are entrainedin the demand portion PASD of the primary air stream flowing through thedemand air conduit 231 and carried to the secondary product container217.

Thus the control system 235 can move product from the first primaryproduct container 215A either by metering or by induction, and can moveproduct from the second primary product container 215B either bymetering or by induction. Although not specifically described thecontrol system 235 can move product from the third primary productcontainer 215C either by metering or by induction.

To allow application of seed and other agricultural products such asvarious fertilizers and chemicals at the same time the control system235 is operative while in a combined first metering mode and seconddemand mode to direct the meter portion PASM of the primary air streaminto the meter air conduit 225 and to direct products from the firstprimary product container 215A into the first metering device 223A wherethe products are metered into the meter portion PASM of the primary airstream flowing through the meter air conduit 225 and through thedistribution network 227, and the control system is operative to directthe demand portion PASD of the primary air stream into the demand airconduit 231 and to direct products from the second primary productcontainer 215B into the second primary inductor assembly 229B where theproducts are entrained in the demand portion PASD of the primary airstream flowing through the demand air conduit 231 and carried to thesecondary product container 217 for further distribution.

In the apparatus 201 of FIGS. 7 and 8 the inductor assemblies 229 eachcomprise a corresponding inductor box 249, and the demand air conduit231 simply extends through each inductor box, as shown in FIG. 4, suchthat the inductor boxes 249 form a portion of the demand air conduit231. In this arrangement the demand portion PASD of the primary airstream will meet significant resistance as it passes through the ups anddowns and changes in conduit size present in each inductor box 249.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an alternate demand air conduit 331that reduces the resistance to air flow and increases efficiency. Ateach primary inductor assembly 329 the demand air conduit 331 comprisesa bypass path 331A that bypasses the inductor box 349 and an operatingpath 331B that includes the inductor box 349. Where a primary productcontainer to which the inductor box is mounted is selected, the bypasspath 331A is closed, such as by inserting the valve plate 359A, and thedemand portion PASD of the primary air stream PAS flows through theoperating path 331B. In unselected primary product containers whereinduction is not desired the demand portion PASD of the primary airstream PAS flows through the bypass path 331A.

In FIG. 9 the major length of the demand air conduit 331 extends alongthe product cart generally under the primary product containers in asubstantially straight orientation aligned with an operating traveldirection T of the product cart. At each inductor box 349 the bypasspath 331A is aligned with the straight major length of the demand airconduit 331 and the operating path 331B is oriented at an angle to thebypass path 331A and the major length of the demand air conduit 331. Inthe arrangement shown in FIG. 9 when a primary inductor assembly 329 isinoperative and the valve plate 359A is withdrawn, the demand portionPASD of the primary air stream flows through both the bypass path 331Aand the operating path 331B, considerably reducing the resistance to airflow through the demand air conduit 331.

A further valve plate 359B could be added in the operating path 331B toclose the operating path 331B when the when the corresponding primaryinductor assembly 329 is inoperative. The valves 359A, 359B could alsobe moved to intermediate positions where a selected proportion of thedemand portion PASD of the primary air stream flows through each of thebypass path 331A and the operating path 331B. Maintaining some air flowin the bypass path 331A reduces the risk of plugging.

The bypass channel 331A is aligned with the major length of the demandair conduit 331 and so air flow, and seed flow, through the bypasschannel 331A will generally be greater than air flow and seed flowthrough the operating channel 331B when the demand portion PASD of theprimary air stream PAS passes through downstream inductor boxes 349after picking up seeds in an upstream inductor box. Thus fewer seedswill be carried through these downstream inductor boxes and come incontact with inductor box walls which can damage the seeds, and so seeddamage is reduced as well.

FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically illustrate a further alternate demand airconduit 431 that reduces the resistance to air flow and increasesefficiency. At each primary inductor assembly 429 the demand air conduit431 comprises a bypass path 431A, that passes straight through theinductor assembly 429 but with no opening to the inductor box 449 thuseffectively bypassing the inductor box 449, and an operating path 431Bthat includes the inductor box 449. When a primary inductor assembly 429is operative, the valve plate 459 is inserted as shown in FIG. 11 toblock the bypass path 431A and the demand portion PASD of the primaryair stream PAS flows through the operating path 431B entraining seed andcarrying same downstream through the demand air conduit 431. The valveplate 459 could also be configured such that when a primary inductorassembly 429 is inoperative, the valve plate 459 is moved to block theentrance to the operating path 431B such that the full demand portionPASD of the primary air stream PAS passes through the bypass path 431A.

The present disclosure further discloses a method of seeding first cropseeds in a first field surface and second crop seeds in a second fieldsurface. The method comprises mounting an implement frame 3 on framewheels 5, and mounting a plurality of furrow opener assemblies 13 on theimplement frame 3; mounting a product cart 7 on cart wheels 9 andreleasably connecting the product cart 7 to the implement frame 3;mounting a primary product container 15 on the product cart 7; mountinga metering device 23 to the primary product container 15; mounting aprimary inductor assembly 29 to the primary product container 15;controlling a flow of products from the primary product container 15 todirect the flow of products into a selected one of the metering device23 and the primary inductor assembly 29; mounting a secondary productcontainer 17 on a selected one of the product cart 7 and the implementframe 3; mounting a secondary inductor assembly 37 to the secondaryproduct container 17 and connecting a plurality of product conduits 39between the secondary inductor assembly 37 and a corresponding pluralityof singulating meters 43; generating a primary air stream PAS; seedingthe first crop seeds by depositing the first crop seeds into thesecondary product container 17, generating a secondary air stream anddirecting the secondary air stream into the secondary inductor assembly37 with the fill opening 19 sealed, moving the implement frame 3 alongthe first field surface with first selected furrow opener assemblies 13Aengaging the first field surface, and directing the first crop seedsfrom the secondary product container 17 into the secondary inductorassembly 37 such that the first crop seeds are entrained in thesecondary air stream and carried through the product conduits 39 to thesingulating meters 43 and the singulating meters 43 dispense the firstcrop seeds to the first selected furrow opener assemblies 13A; seedingthe second crop seeds by depositing the second crop seeds into theprimary product container 15, directing a meter portion PASM of theprimary air stream PAS through a meter air conduit 25 connected tosecond selected furrow opener assemblies 13B, moving the implement frame3 and connected product cart 7 along the second field surface with thesecond selected furrow opener assemblies 13B engaging the second fieldsurface, and directing the second crop seeds from the primary productcontainer 15 to the metering device 23 and metering the second cropseeds into the meter air conduit 25 such that the second crop seeds arecarried to the second selected furrow opener assemblies 13B.

The method typically further comprises, with the product cart 7connected to the implement frame 3, depositing the first crop seeds intothe secondary product container 17 by depositing the first crop seedsinto the primary product container 15 and directing a demand portionPASD of the primary air stream PAS through a demand air conduit 31connected between the primary inductor assembly 29 and the secondaryproduct container 17, and directing the first crop seeds from theprimary product container 15 to the primary inductor assembly 29 wherethe first crop seeds are entrained in the demand portion PASD of theprimary air stream PAS in the demand air conduit 31 and transferred intothe secondary product container 17.

The method can comprise providing a fill opening 19 in an upper portionof the secondary product container 17 with a releasable cover 21operative to seal the fill opening 19. Where it is desired to add only asmall amount of first crop seeds to the secondary product container 17these additional first crop seeds can be deposited into the secondaryproduct container 17 through the fill opening 19. This can beadvantageous for example when seeding the first crop seeds is almostcomplete and only a small additional amount of first seeds is required.

The method can comprise mounting the secondary product container 17 onthe implement frame 3 and with the product cart 7 disconnected from theimplement frame 3, depositing the first crop seeds into the secondaryproduct container 17 through the fill opening 19 and moving theimplement frame 3 along the first field surface without the product cart7. This method can be used for example where the seeding rate is low andwhere added maneuverability of the air seeder is desired, such as wherethe first field is odd shaped requiring considerable tight turns. Usingthis method then the output end of the cart portion 31C of the demandair conduit 31 that is mounted on the product cart 7 is disconnectedfrom an input end of the frame portion 31F of the demand air conduit 31that is mounted on the implement frame 3, and the input end of the frameportion 31F of the demand air conduit 31 is sealed.

The method can comprise mounting the secondary product container 17 onthe product cart 7 and, with the product cart 7 connected to theimplement frame 3, depositing the first crop seeds into the secondaryproduct container 17 by depositing the first crop seeds into the primaryproduct container 15 and directing the demand portion PASD of theprimary air stream PAS through the demand air conduit 31 connectedbetween the primary inductor assembly 29 and the secondary productcontainer 17, and directing the first crop seeds from the primaryproduct container 15 to the primary inductor assembly 29 where the firstcrop seeds are entrained in the demand portion PASD of the primary airstream PAS in the demand air conduit 31 and transferred into thesecondary product container 17. Additional first crop seeds can also bedeposited into the secondary product container 17 through the fillopening.19.

The method can further comprise mounting first and second primaryproduct containers 215A, 215B on the product cart 207; mountingcorresponding first and second metering devices 223A, 223B to thecorresponding first and second primary product containers 215A, 215B;mounting corresponding first and second primary inductor assemblies229A, 229B to the corresponding first and second primary productcontainers 215A, 215B; controlling a flow of seeds from the firstprimary product container 215A to direct the flow of seeds into aselected one of the first metering device 223A and the first primaryinductor assembly 229A; and controlling a flow of seeds from the secondprimary product container 215B to direct the flow of seeds into aselected one of the second metering device 223B and the second primaryinductor assembly 229B.

The present disclosure thus provides an agricultural productdistribution apparatus for an air seeder and method of seeding firstcrop seeds in a first field surface and second crop seeds in a secondfield surface that provides considerable versatility by allowing theprimary product container 15 to be quickly and simply converted todispense products directly to furrow openers 13 with a metering device23, or to supply products to a plurality of singulating meters using aninductor assembly 29 and demand air conduit 31.

The secondary product container 17 can include a sealable fill opening19 and may be mounted on the implement frame 3 or the product cart 7,and can be located where it is convenient to add products manually ifdesired. Products are supplied to the secondary product container 17 bythe primary inductor assembly 29. Where the secondary product container17 is mounted on the implement frame 3 such that product distribution tothe singulating meters 43 takes place on the implement frame 3, thistransfer of product by induction results in only a single demand airconduit extending between the product cart 7 and the implement frame 3.

Where, as is typical, a plurality of primary product containers 215 ismounted on the product cart 207, each can be configured to dispenseproducts through the metering device 223 or the inductor assembly 229allowing for the most efficient use of the various sized primary productcontainers 215 to minimize the stops needed to refill.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modificationsin structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fallwithin the scope of the claimed invention.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A method of seeding first crop seeds in a firstfield surface and second crop seeds in a second field surface, themethod comprising: mounting an implement frame on frame wheels, andmounting a plurality of furrow opener assemblies on the implement frame;mounting a product cart on cart wheels and releasably connecting theproduct cart to the implement frame; mounting a primary productcontainer on the product cart; mounting a metering device to the primaryproduct container; mounting a primary inductor assembly to the primaryproduct container; controlling a flow of seeds from the primary productcontainer to direct the flow of seeds into a selected one of themetering device and the primary inductor assembly; mounting a secondaryproduct container on a selected one of the product cart and theimplement frame; mounting a secondary inductor assembly to the secondaryproduct container and connecting a plurality of product conduits betweenthe secondary inductor assembly and a corresponding plurality ofsingulating meters; generating a primary air stream; seeding the firstcrop seeds by: depositing the first crop seeds into the secondaryproduct container; generating a secondary air stream and directing thesecondary air stream into the secondary inductor assembly; moving theimplement frame along the first field surface with first selected furrowopener assemblies engaging the first field surface; directing the firstcrop seeds from the secondary product container into the secondaryinductor assembly such that the first crop seeds are entrained in thesecondary air stream and carried through the product conduits to thesingulating meters and the singulating meters dispense the first cropseeds to the first selected furrow opener assemblies; seeding the secondcrop seeds by: depositing the second crop seeds into the primary productcontainer; directing the primary air stream through a meter air conduitconnected to second selected furrow opener assemblies; moving theimplement frame and connected product cart along the second fieldsurface with the second selected furrow opener assemblies engaging thesecond field surface; directing the second crop seeds from the primaryproduct container to the metering device and metering the second cropseeds into the meter air conduit such that the second crop seeds arecarried to the second selected furrow opener assemblies.
 26. The methodof claim 25 comprising, with the product cart connected to the implementframe, depositing the first crop seeds into the secondary productcontainer by depositing the first crop seeds into the primary productcontainer and directing the primary air stream through a demand airconduit connected between the primary inductor assembly and thesecondary product container, and directing the first crop seeds from theprimary product container to the primary inductor assembly where thefirst crop seeds are entrained in the primary air stream in the demandair conduit and transferred into the secondary product container. 27.The method of claim 26 comprising providing a fill opening in an upperportion of the secondary product container with a releasable coveroperative to seal the fill opening and depositing additional first cropseeds into the secondary product container through the fill opening. 28.The method of claim 25 comprising mounting the secondary productcontainer on the implement frame, providing a fill opening in an upperportion of the secondary product container with a releasable coveroperative to seal the fill opening, and with the product cartdisconnected from the implement frame, depositing the first crop seedsinto the secondary product container through the fill opening and movingthe implement frame along the first field surface without the productcart.
 29. The method of claim 28 comprising disconnecting an output endof a cart portion of the demand air conduit that is mounted on theproduct cart from an input end of a frame portion of the demand airconduit that is mounted on the implement frame; sealing the input end ofthe frame portion of the demand air conduit.
 30. The method of claim 25comprising mounting the secondary product container on the product cartand, with the product cart connected to the implement frame, depositingthe first crop seeds into the secondary product container by depositingthe first crop seeds into the primary product container and directingthe primary air stream through a demand air conduit connected betweenthe primary inductor assembly and the secondary product container, anddirecting the first crop seeds from the primary product container to theprimary inductor assembly where the first crop seeds are entrained inthe primary air stream in the demand air conduit and transferred intothe secondary product container
 31. The method of claim 30 comprisingproviding a fill opening in an upper portion of the secondary productcontainer with a releasable cover operative to seal the fill opening anddepositing additional first crop seeds into the secondary productcontainer through the fill opening.
 32. The method of claim 25comprising: mounting first and second primary product containers on theproduct cart; mounting corresponding first and second metering devicesto the corresponding first and second primary product containers;mounting corresponding first and second primary inductor assemblies tothe corresponding first and second primary product containers; seedingthe first crop seeds by depositing first crop seeds into the firstprimary product container and directing the first crop seeds into thefirst primary inductor assembly and directing a demand portion of theprimary air stream through the demand air conduit to transfer the firstcrop seeds into the secondary product container; depositing fertilizeron the first field surface by depositing the fertilizer into the secondprimary product container and directing the fertilizer into the secondmetering device, directing a meter portion of the primary air streamthrough the meter air conduit and metering the fertilizer into the meterair conduit such that the fertilizer is carried to the second selectedfurrow opener assemblies.